7 steps to success, the LORD’s way

I don’t know who first said, “The Bible is the LORD’s manual for life,” but it is surely as true now as it was then. The LORD has a way for everything. We ignore His ways at our peril.

Most would readily agree that the Bible contains prescribed ways for salvation, sanctification, and all the other big Kingdom processes. Some have recognized His prescription for building the church (Ephesians 4:11-16) and evangelizing the world (John 17:21-23). When we follow the LORD’s ways, He gets involved – sometimes just to show that His ways are the best ways.

The Process

As important as success is to the LORD and man, it should not surprise us to discover that the LORD has prescribed a way of finding and securing success. He has revealed it in Psalm 37. Let’s take a look at it.

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

Step 1: Taking our eyes off the world and focusing them on Jesus. Beholding His glory, we will be transformed into the same likeness, by the Holy Spirit (2Corinthians 3:18). Furthermore, knowing the fate of the worldly, we should fear the desire to become like them (James 4:4).

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Step 2: The LORD desires and has commanded us to trust Him. To trust in anything or anyone else is idolatry.

Step 3: The LORD has created us to walk in good works (Ephesians 2:10). It is there that we find Him. Those works are determined by Him, and He is glorified in them (Matthew 5:16).

Step 4: The LORD promised “the land” to the Israelites. He has promised something much greater to the followers of Jesus Christ. He has promised us abundant life in His kingdom. We must dwell in Christ and learn to live in the kingdom of heaven. “The kingdom of heaven is like…” It is important to recognize this kingdom is here now.

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Step 5: Here, we enter into the heart of the LORD’s way for success. The Hebrew word translated as “delight” means “to be soft” – like clay in the Potter’s hands (Isaiah 64:8). We must surrender to the LORD to make us into whatever vessel will best suit His purposes (Romans 9:21).

The LORD’s promise is to give us the desires that He has put in our hearts. In this way, He is glorified and His purposes are accomplished.

5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.

Step 6: Committing our way to the LORD does not mean getting Him to bless our plans. This seems obvious, but our minds are devious tricksters. The best laid plans of man will not succeed in the LORD’s kingdom. It is sobering to realize that He will allow us to pursue them until we find ourselves up a pole (Isaiah 30:15-18).

Those pursuing success the LORD’s way, “roll off” their way to the LORD. In other words, we give every expectation and dream to Him. In exchange, He brings the best plan to fruition. Our striving to achieve success is no longer necessary. In fact, it is detrimental and distracting.

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

Step 7: The LORD’s success in our lives results in the revelation of the Son – our righteousness (1Corinthians 1:30) – and the out-raying of His justice. For the most part, we just need to get out of His way. The LORD only requires our love and humble participation. Being a part of such a display is exceedingly abundantly more than we can think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Character Building

The LORD’s way for success includes the preparation for our assignment (the manifestation of our heart’s desire). In verses seven and eight, the Psalmist suggests a few areas for our transformation.

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Resting in the LORD and waiting patiently – without anxiety – are character traits that must be developed. The LORD will allow people and circumstances into our lives that expose our flaws and give us the opportunity to submit to their removal. He will also deal with our propensity for anger and wrath, for these have no place in His kingdom.

Psalm 37 is filled with the LORD’s promises for those that will commit themselves to His way for success. I encourage you to read and pursue them all. We will close here with one that is truly over the top.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,They shall inherit the earth.